Pentax have launched a white version of the entry-level K-m digital SLR camera. In these unique, limited-edition kits, both the Pentax Km camera body and the zoom lenses have a brilliant white finish. 100 Km Whites will be available in the UK, priced at £449.99 for the single 18-55mm lens kit, and £549.99 for the twin lens kit (also includes the 50-200mm lens).

Pentax UK Press Release

PENTAX launches limited edition K-m White Kits

PENTAX U.K. is pleased to announce the launch of the limited edition PENTAX K-m White. The camera is available to purchase as part of two unique kit combinations – the K-m White kit, which includes the 18-55mm lens, and the K-m White twin lens kit, which includes the 50-200mm lens as well. Each kit includes the popular PENTAX K-m digital SLR camera body in a brilliant white finish with lens to match. Only 100 K-m Whites will come to the UK market.

Launched in October 2008 as an entry-class model aimed at new digital SLR photographers, the award winning PENTAX K-m offers simple, user-friendly operation and an easy-to-manoeuvre compact, lightweight body. The camera features an upgraded version of the PENTAX-original Auto Picture mode, which automatically detects the type of subject or scene, and sets the proper shooting mode for the photographer. It also features a host of advanced features and sophisticated functions — including the innovative in-camera Shake Reduction mechanism — to assist the photographer.

Main Features of the PENTAX K-m White

1. Sparkling, eye-catching White body and lenses
In these unique, limited-edition kits, both the PENTAX K-m camera body and the zoom lenses have a brilliant white finish. Offering a new colour choice, as well as the fun of digital SLR photography, these kits will appeal to many photographers.

2. Compact, lightweight body for enhanced portability and manoeuvrability
Despite having a large image sensor (23.5mm by 15.7mm), the PENTAX K-m White offers a compact, lightweight design for remarkable portability and manoeuvrability. This was made possible by the development of a lightweight and high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis, the downsizing of the Shake Reduction mechanism and circuit boards, employment of the latest high-density packaging technologies ensuring the most efficient positioning and layout of internal parts, and the repositioning of the battery compartment. The camera grip has also been redesigned to create a firm, comfortable hold of the camera body.

3. Simplified operation system for easy camera handling
The PENTAX K-m White features a newly designed control system, which positions most of buttons and controls on the camera’s grip side, making it easier for first-time digital SLR users stepping up from their compact models to operate the camera. What’s more, the functions of each button can be instantly displayed on the camera’s LCD monitor by pressing the help button, which is especially useful for those who are unfamiliar with digital SLR cameras or new to photography.

4. PENTAX-original Shake Reduction mechanism for sharp, blur-free images
The PENTAX K-m White comes equipped with the PENTAX-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, which effectively reduces camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under demanding shooting conditions — such as when using a telephoto lens, shooting in the dark, or at night without supplementary flash illumination, or using extended exposures for sunset scenes. This innovative SR mechanism shifts the position of the image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed using magnetic force, while adjusting the shifting speed in proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by a built-in sensor. It offers an outstanding compensation effect — up to the equivalent of approximately four shutter steps. As a result, it does not require special anti-shake lenses, and can be used with almost all existing PENTAX interchangeable lenses.
*** Lenses compatible with this mechanism are: the PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF-, KAF2-, and KAF3-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be applicable with certain lenses.

5. Comprehensive Dust Removal system with prevention, removal and confirmation devices
The PENTAX K-m White features the user-friendly DR (Dust Removal) system to prevent dust from appearing on captured images. Applied to the CCD image sensor surface, the PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect) coating effectively removes dust and stains from the sensor’s surface. In the next step, dust that still remains on the surface will be shaken off when the SR system shifts the image sensor at high speed. Finally, the dust that is shaken off will fall onto an adhesive sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR unit, eliminating any possibility of it returning to the image sensor surface. This DR system even offers a Dust Alert function, which allows the user to confirm the dust-adhesion status of the CCD in advance.

6. Auto Picture mode for automatic selection of optimum shooting mode
The PENTAX-developed Auto Picture mode is programmed to automatically select the most appropriate shooting mode — from such choices as Portrait, Landscape and Macro — for any given subject. With the PENTAX K-m White, this user-friendly mode is further upgraded, with automatic detection for situations that might require the Night Scene Portrait mode. Since all camera settings, including aperture, shutter speed, white balance, contrast and sharpness, and saturation, are adjusted automatically by the camera for optimum results, the K-m White allows the user to concentrate on image composition and picture opportunities.

7. High-quality image
The PENTAX K-m White combines a large, high-performance CCD image sensor (23.5mm by 15.7mm) with the sophisticated PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine). With approximately 10.2 effective megapixels, it produces beautiful, fine-detailed images with subtle gradations and delicate textures. It also features a Custom Image function, which offers a choice of six finishing touches to help the user create intended images.

8. High-speed continuous shooting at approx. 3.5 frames per second
The PENTAX K-m White lets the user keep shooting images at approximately 3.5 frames per second (in the JPEG recording format), allowing the user to easily capture a sequence of fast-moving subject shots with greater detail.

9. High-precision 5-point AF system
The PENTAX K-m White incorporates a five-point wide-area AF system (SAFOX VIII with five cross-type sensors) to ensure dependable, high-precision auto focusing. Using the five sensors positioned in a cross pattern over the image field (one in the middle, two at the sides, and two at the top and bottom), this system automatically and unfailingly selects the optimum sensor for a given subject. It will also allow the user to fix the AF detection point at the middle sensor should they choose. Thanks to a thorough review of the AF algorithm, this AF system also offers improved auto focusing speed under poor-lighting conditions, which conventional AF systems often struggle with.

10. Auto sensitivity control up to ISO 3200
The PENTAX K-m White’s auto sensitivity control function automatically sets the optimum sensitivity between ISO 100 and ISO 3200, based on such data as the subject’s brightness level and the lens focal length. Since this function allows the user to take advantage of faster shutter speeds in poor lighting situations (such as indoor sports events and night-time scenes), it helps the photographer to effectively reduce camera and subject shake to prevent blurred images.

11. Effective gradation compensation
The PENTAX K-m White’s dynamic-range expansion function allows the user to expand a dynamic range (or a range of gradation reproduction) to minimize white-washed areas in the image. On the other hand, its shadow compensation function minimises pitch-black areas lacking in detail. Combined, they help the user to produce beautiful, rich-gradation images when shooting high-contrast subjects.

12. Large, easy-to-view 2.7-inch LCD monitor
The PENTAX K-m White features a large 2.7-inch colour LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots on its back panel. This monitor’s wide-view design allows the photographer to check the on-screen image from approximately 170 degrees both vertically and horizontally. It even offers digital zooming of playback images up to 16x to easily confirm the image’s focus and details.

13. Bright, clear viewfinder
Thanks to a combination of a lightweight penta-mirror prism, PENTAX-original finder optics, and the acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen, the PENTAX K-m White’s viewfinder delivers a large, bright subject image with approximate 96-percent field of view, and approximately 0.85-times magnification.

14. Digital filters for unique visual expressions
The PENTAX K-m White’s built-in digital filters let the user effortlessly add some creative and artistic touches to recorded images without the use of a PC. The user can select one of 14 different digital filters, including the new Toy Camera and Retro filters, to create a desired visual effect.

15. Other features
1) 10 Scene modes, switchable with simple and recognisable icon selection
2) Energy-efficient power supply, recording approximately 1,650 images with four AA-size lithium batteries
3) Status screen, displaying camera settings on the LCD monitor on the camera’s back panel for at-a-glance confirmation
4) Index function, for five different types of display and printing modes
5) Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, centre-weighted metering and spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications
6) Simultaneous recording of RAW and JPEG format images
7) Compatibility with SD and SDHC memory cards as external data-recording media
8) In-camera development of RAW format images
9) Compatibility with SDM equipped lens for quiet, smooth auto focus operation
10) PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 RAW data processing software and PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3 browser software included

Main Features of the smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6AL White Lens
1. A compact standard zoom lens with focal lengths from 27.5mm to 84.5mm (in the 35mm format) covering wide-angle to medium-telephoto ranges.
2. Latest optical design featuring high-performance aspherical lens element and super-low dispersion glass element for effective compensation of various aberrations.

Main Features of the smc PENTAX-DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6ED White Lens
1. A super-compact, ultra-lightweight telephoto zoom lens with focal lengths from 76.5mm to 307mm (in the 35mm format).
2. ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical element for effective compensation of chromatic aberrations over the entire zoom range and enhanced image-description performance.

Price
RRP £449.99 Pentax K-m White kit
RRP £549.99 Pentax K-m White Twin lens kit

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